Here we may even wish to think of it as a unifying term used by the Protestants during the Reformation.

For although the Protestants could be divided over various theological positions, such as church doctrine, church government, methodology and procedural matters used in worship, they could nevertheless agree on two essential Christian doctrines.

These two central doctrines embraced by all of evangelical Christianity were the supreme authority of Holy Scripture in all doctrinal matters of the church, and the doctrine of justification by faith alone.

Here under the term "evangelicalism" we can see the difference between Protestants and Catholics even today.

In the matter of Holy Scripture, although the Roman Catholic Church considers the New Testament authoritative, it also places equal authority in the Pope and the decisions of various church councils.

And in the matter of justification, although the Roman Catholic Church believes that belief and faith is essential to justification, they do not believe that justification of the believer is by faith alone.

Now lest I be misunderstood in this comparison of evangelical Christianity and the Stone/ Campbell Churches of Christ, I am not for a moment suggesting that the Church of Christ churches use any additional sources of authority beyond that of Holy Scripture.

However, it is well understood that the Church of Christ disagrees with evangelical Christianity's understanding of the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Thus, it is the doctrine of justification by faith alone that sets evangelical Christianity apart from the Stone/ Campbell Churches of Christ.

* * *

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” John 5:39-40.